Additional reporting by Etholle Reynolds
Christmas has come early to Chatham as rehearsals have started for this year’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty.
It will be Jordan Productions’ tenth show at The Central Theatre, but the team has promised this will be the most surprising performance yet as they modernise the traditional fairytale.
Producer Chris Jordan said: “We have made this a real swashbuckling adventure that involves time travel, a massive fire-breathing dragon, and a huge bouncy castle.
“I can promise Medway audiences they will see things they have never seen before on a panto stage here.
“It is really, really exciting; we are really looking forward to doing it.”
Alex Anstey, who will be returning to the Chatham stage for the fourth year as Dame Nurse Nellie, added: “The production has upped it every single year.
“I think this time it is going to be better than ever. There is some really wild stuff, wild costumes, and special effects.
“You can really feel that they appreciate what goes on here, and they want to make it the best ever.
“I am really happy to be here. I really love it and I cannot wait to see everyone.”
It has taken more than a year to put together the pantomime, with plans starting as early as November last year.
However, rehearsals have only just started with the cast and crew officially launching the production last Thursday (August 28).
The show will follow Prince Valiant, played by Lee Latchford-Evans of the chart-topping band Steps, as he battles to save Princess Aurora from a fire-breathing dragon.
It will be the iconic 90s singer’s first time on the Medway stage, but he is no stranger to the theatre, having performed in countless pantomimes across the country and recently in a tour of the hit musical & Juliet.
He said: “You have to wear a different hat with every single job that you do. Pantomime for me is about Lee from Steps.
“It is about having fun, it is entertaining the audience, and it is kind of what Steps is all about. A panto audience is very, very similar to a Steps audience.
“We say to people, any troubles in your life right now, just leave them at the door, come in, let yourself go, and just have a fantastic time. That is what panto is about.
“It will have the fun, the music, the songs, the effects, and hopefully, people will leave with a huge smile on their face.”
He will be joined by EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Doctors star Carli Norris, who will be playing the wicked Carabosse, intent on revenge.
It is also Carli’s first time in Medway; however, she is used to being the villain, having taken on the role in three other Sleeping Beauty productions.
She said: “I absolutely love this theatre and I love Sleeping Beauty. I think it is my favourite piece.
“I love it because I can engage with the audience too, and I can have that bit of rapport.
“I think pantomime is a really important genre in the theatre and a really important tradition to keep going.
“It is a way that families can come together at Christmas and all enjoy the same humour.
“I also think there are a lot of people who do not go to the theatre anymore, so it is a nice way to get local people in who do not necessarily go to their theatre.
“This year’s show is really incredible and something that you probably have not seen on this stage before.
“It is really fun, really engaging for everybody, and I literally cannot wait.”
The cast will also be joined by children’s TV presenter Naomi Wilkinson as Fairy Forty Winks, and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Andrew Curphey as Chester the Jester.
Tickets are on sale now from the Box Office on 01634 338 338 or at medwayticketslive.co.uk
Sleeping Beauty opens on Thursday, December 11, and runs until Sunday, January 4.
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